Experts predict that artificial intelligence will bring about radical changes in the financial sector and national security systems over the next five years.
Researchers from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the University of Queensland conducted a large-scale survey of 272 artificial intelligence experts to identify the most pressing risks that could threaten humanity between 2025 and 2030.
The researchers asked participants to evaluate 24 potential threats according to two criteria: their likelihood of occurrence and the extent of the damage they could cause . Based on the results, the experts identified five scenarios they considered the most dangerous:
The findings revealed that the greatest risk lies in the development of AI systems with dangerous capabilities, coupled with fierce competition between nations and companies, which could lead to hasty and ill-considered decisions. The second greatest risk is the use of AI technologies in cyberattacks and their weaponization.
According to experts, artificial intelligence algorithms are highly efficient at programming and pattern recognition, making them ideal tools for hackers. The study also identified the centralization of power and the spread of misinformation as among the top five risks.
The study focused specifically on vulnerabilities in three key sectors. In the information sector, the widespread use of deepfakes and manipulation could undermine trust in content and data. In the area of national security, surveillance and cyberattacks by hostile actors stand out as among the most serious challenges. And in the financial sector, researchers warn of a growing wave of fraud and market manipulation that could lead to widespread economic disruption.
Researchers point to a striking paradox: the primary responsibility for mitigating these threats lies with AI developers and regulators, while ordinary users and external organizations are the most vulnerable. In other words, developers of these technologies are not always held accountable for their use.
Therefore, researchers advise company executives not to wait for new legislation, but to include artificial intelligence risks in corporate security strategies now, alongside cybersecurity, to keep pace with the rapid development of these technologies.
